AY Honors/Braiding/Answer Key

1. Make a three-strand braid, using hair, rope, or cord.

Step-by-step sequence for making a three-strand braid

To make a three strand braid we start with the picture on the upper left, and proceed clockwise.

• Move the blue strand from the right to the center, bringing us to the second picture.
• Move the black strand from the left to the center, bringing us to the third picture.
• Move the red strand from the right to the center, bringing us to the fourth picture.
• Move the blue strand from the left to the center, bringing us to the fifth picture.
• Move the black strand from the right to the center, bringing us to the sixth picture.
• Move the red strand from the left to the center, bringing us to the seventh picture which has the strands in the same order as the first.

The sequence of left-to-center, right-to-center, left-to-center, right-to-center repeats until the braider reaches the end of the strands or decides to quit.

5. Know how to start and end all projects.

How to start or end depends on the material being braided.

Starting

Rope, string, or lace

Lay the ropes (or strings or laces) parallel to one another with the ends even and tie an overhand knot in the entire bundle.

Hair

Bind the hair you wish to braid using an elastic band near the head. Divide into the desired number of equal-diameter strands.

Leather

A wide leather strap can be cut into strips, but left intact near one end.

Ending

Rope, string, or lace

Tie the bundle into an overhand knot.

Hair

Bind the braid with a rubber band or a decorative hair elastic.

Leather

Glue the strands in place, rivet them to another piece, or firmly sandwich them between two other pieces of leather.